adminThe managers of hotels and lodges said they were fully booked on Friday and Saturday last week with their guests arriving from different parts of the world.
Dr Mpofu celebrated his attainment of a doctorate in policy studies and his 60th birthday on Saturday.
Thousands of people, drawn from all walks of life attended the celebration and the guest list read like a who is who register in the world of politics, finance, arts, religious and civic organisations.
Business associates and friends from countries like China, South Africa, India, Israel and different mining houses from Zimbabwe and others dotted around the world thronged hotels and guest houses in Bulawayo on that weekend.
“There were so many guests of different nationalities, it reminded us of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair period, when we are always fully booked. We had to disappoint a large number of people who wanted to stay at the hotel, between Friday and Sunday last week, as there was just no room to accommodate them. If Dr Mpofu holds such events about three times a year, business in the city would be revived,” said an employee at Rainbow Hotel.
Mrs Alana Chinara, the Holiday Inn’s group sales and marketing manager, said the hotel was filled up with the minister’s guests.
“The Minister’s guests were booked at the hotel from 27 January to 29 January. This resulted in the hotel being fully occupied. For the two nights that the guests were in the hotel, there was no room to accommodate additional people,” said Mrs Chinara.
The manager of the stylish Zak’s place, Mr John Dlodlo, also said the “Zak family” had to go the extra mile to give the minister’s guests the first class service.
“The place was fully booked. Most of the guests were going to Dr Mpofu’s celebration. Our staff had to work extra hard to ensure that our renowned impeccable hospitality standards were upheld. The minister has always supported this place and we are grateful for the big business that his celebration brought our way,” said Mr Dlodlo.
He said colleagues in the hospitality industry had reported increased business with a majority of them having to turn away guests.
Among the VIPs who attended Dr Mpofu’s double celebration were Vice-President Dr John Landa Nkomo who was the guest of honour, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Sithembiso Nyoni,
Resident Minister for Bulawayo Metropolitan province Ambassador Cain Mathema, Matabeleland South Governor, Angeline Masuku, Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa and Minister of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment, Saviour Kasukuwere.
Others were Bubi-Umguza Senator Cde Lot Mbambo, Insiza North MP, Cde Andrew Langa, Insiza Senator Cde Naison Khutshwekhaya Ndlovu, Matabeleland North Provincial Administrator Ms Latiso Dlamini,
Zanu-PF Politburo member, Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube, Zou Vice-Chancellor Dr Primrose Kurasha and her husband Professor Jameson Kurasha, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development Mr Prince Mupazviriho, Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Retired Colonel Christian Katsande, Zanu-PF Politburo member Abigail Damasane, party Central Committee members together with members of the Johanne Masowe Church Apostolic Church traditional leaders, heads of different Government departments and service chiefs.
A cross-section of people who attended the function said they had never witnessed such an event where thousands attended on a single day.
Speaker after speaker marvelled and praised the attendance saying it was testimony of the good relations Dr Mpofu enjoyed with constituents and business associates.
Online Reporter